Pakistan
National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM)
About
Founded in 2000, the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) administers several Pakistani defense development programs, including the National Defense Complex (NDC) and the Air Weapons Complex (AWC). 1 2 3 NESCOM oversees a total staff of 16,000 employees and its overarching mission is to promote Pakistani “proficiencies in nuclear and ballistic missile development and production” with a “focus on developing conventional military hardware for the Pakistani military and export markets.” 4 5 According to defense analyst Usman Shabbir, NESCOM and the NDC continue to drive Pakistan’s missile program as of 2008. 6
Andrew Koch considers NESCOM’s establishment an indication of the strong priority placed on missile development in Pakistan’s R&D strategy. 7 Under NESCOM oversight, the NDC contributed to the development of the intermediate-range Ghauri-3 missile and Pakistan’s first cruise missile, the Hatf-7/Babur. 8 9 NESCOM also oversaw the AWC during the development of the Ra’ad air-launched cruise missile. 10
Glossary
- Ballistic missile
- A delivery vehicle powered by a liquid or solid fueled rocket that primarily travels in a ballistic (free-fall) trajectory. The flight of a ballistic missile includes three phases: 1) boost phase, where the rocket generates thrust to launch the missile into flight; 2) midcourse phase, where the missile coasts in an arc under the influence of gravity; and 3) terminal phase, in which the missile descends towards its target. Ballistic missiles can be characterized by three key parameters - range, payload, and Circular Error Probable (CEP), or targeting precision. Ballistic missiles are primarily intended for use against ground targets.
- Cruise missile
- An unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path. There are subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles currently deployed in conventional and nuclear arsenals, while conventional hypersonic cruise missiles are currently in development. These can be launched from the air, submarines, or the ground. Although they carry smaller payloads, travel at slower speeds, and cover lesser ranges than ballistic missiles, cruise missiles can be programmed to travel along customized flight paths and to evade missile defense systems.
- Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM)
- A missile designed to be launched from an aircraft and jet-engine powered throughout its flight. As with all cruise missiles, its range is a function of payload, propulsion, and fuel volume, and can thus vary greatly. Under the START I Treaty, the term "long-range ALCM" means an air-launched cruise missile with a range in excess of 600 kilometers.
Sources
- Nuclear Black Markets: Pakistan, A.Q. Khan and the Rise of Proliferation Networks – A Net Assessment, (London: The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007), p. 111.
- “CESAT – About Us,” NESCOM – Pakistan’s Premier Research and Development Organization, 1 February 2011, www.cesat.gov.pk.
- Nuclear Black Markets: Pakistan, A.Q. Khan and the Rise of Proliferation Networks – A Net Assessment, (London: The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007), p. 111.
- “CESAT – About Us,” NESCOM – Pakistan’s Premier Research and Development Organization, 1 February 2011, www.cesat.gov.pk.
- Andrew Koch, “Pakistan’s Softer Approach,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, 11 July 2001.
- Usman Ansari, “Pakistan Pushes to Improve Missile Strike Capability,” DefenseNews, 17 November 2008, www.defensenews.com.
- Andrew Koch, “Pakistan’s Softer Approach,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, 11 July 2001.
- “Pakistan Tests Ballistic Missiles,” Jane’s Missiles and Rockets (Surrey), 1 July 2004, www.janes.com.
- “Pakistan Tests 500 km-range Cruise Missile,” Jane’s Missiles and Rockets (Surrey), 1 October 2005.
- Usman Ansari, “Pakistan Pushes to improve Missile Strike Capability,” DefenseNews, 17 November 2008, www.defensenews.com.